By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

An Internet security entrepreneur is looking to expand his business to Hillsboro.

Steve Watkins, chief executive of iGuardPro, came to Hillsboro four years ago. He has more than 20 years in programming and Internet security and opened his own business in 2022.

One of his main offerings is firewalls that protect not only a primary website but each device connected to it.

“I was just selected for Nxtus.io, a private venture capitalist out of Wichita,” Watkins said. “They select 20 companies a year out of Kansas to participate in an enterprise engagement series. You get to learn from different CEOs.”

The class will help him with sales, which he says are not his strongest point. At the end of the program, he might get money for startup expenses.

He created his security program by himself, he said.

“It’s a system that hunts hackers 24/7,” Watkins said. “I even wrote my own firewalls. I’m offering the ability to block a lot of the networks that produce malware and ransomware.”

His system protects a company’s computers and phones simultaneously, he said.

One of his cell phone programs, iGuardProVPN, can be purchased through cell phone app stores.

“No company has ever been attacked under my watch,” he said. “That’s really a pretty good accomplishment.”

Watkins also works with Container Services in Hillsboro and has worked with two Marion County school districts.

“I would like to expand my business in Marion County if possible,” he said.